Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-12-23
GOVERNOR BOB TAYLOR.
\ story of An Early Political Campaign
in Tennessee.

\ story of An Early Political Campaign
in Tennessee.
Il was Just u9rrating an incident of my
Congressional campaign with Pettibone, "
said Governor Taylor to a correspondent OF
the Atlanta Consultation, "and will begin
it again for your benefit"
Aui the correspondent took his place IN
a group composed Of a sturdy tarmer from
Egst Tennessee, mining expert with the
mud on his boots, a young preacher from
the Sruuachee district, aud several Others
who looked upon the joking Governor with
eye of admiration.
"Elrlv in the canvass, resumed The
Governor, IL noticed that ! was being toll
lowed up 10y an irOn-rihbed Democrat, who
was old enough 10 have voted for Andrew
Jackson, and who looked like 1t. lie was
thin and tall, his form clad in butternut
leans, cOrn-cOb pipe in his mouth and 4
great wave OF white beard falling from I'M
der his chin, while his face was scrupu
lousy bare ct beard. He would secure u
front seat, where he could catch the eye oi
the speaker, While rettlhOnc would he
speaking the old mans face would twitch
with suppressed dissent. He would pull
vigorously at his pipe, and eNclaim every
lew minutes:
"Hurrah for Bob and the winding up
when ! would rise holy calm would
spread his features, and approving eXcla-
nations would greet every point for Dem
OCracy. He was terrible Democrat.
For week he followed mp our appoint
mcnts, when, one day, to illustrate Repub-
! lican thievng, | had the occasion to tell
/ the story OF a West Tennessee farmer.
! The West Tennessean had 4 large corn
crop. while in the adjoining pasture grazed
| a herd OF cattle One night the cattle got
into the corn field and played havoc. The
| farmer was in rage when he discovered
| the damage, and he summoned all his
slaves for an explanation. Every one OF
his slaves suffered Calling mp Bill, his
master thundered:
"'Rill, by whose carelessness was this
| fence left DOWN.
"W-w-w-h-h-y, massa, -d-d-
| d
Get out, you scoundrel, | can't take
all day to hear you that way. Ephraimr
how did the cattle get in there?
"'M-m- hasa, d-d-d-c-c-a-a-t.'
Shut up ut once, you suffering
wretch. samuel, tell me how these cattle
got into the tield?'
'D.d-d,C-c-O-O.'
d" Damn it, sing il, if you can't talk 1t.
Samuel WAS great singer and never
suffered when he essayed that form OF
vocalism. SO to the tune of Old Hundred
| he broke forth:
DE COWS Jumped over de fence,
An eat mp all lie corn,
! p,.,.s mighty thieves, anil steal
fore Your eyes. Sure's you're born.
Il then declared that the Republican
thieves bid Jumped over the fence into the
Democratic corn and were bent upon a
! career of devastation. At my appoint
ment. twenty miles off, the next day,
was again announcing this story, when
caught sight OF my old Democratic friend.
lie deliberately unlOosed his shirt collar,
cleared NJ his throat, and assumed posi-
ton for singing | saw that he intended
TO accompany me. Without smile, and
Just ~ if had expected it, l began, the
old man Joining in with full force:
DE COWS Jumped over lie fence,
I An eat up all de corn,
| ptv's mighty thieves, anil steal
Fore YOUR eyes, sure's you're born.
The young preacher from Sequachee
took down the verse to use on the circuit,
while the farmer had it firmly committed
| IN memory.